JP2015160674A - Device and method for sterilizing container - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device and a method for reliably sterilizing containers in a simple manner without conducting significant modification/change even if the containers have different lengths.SOLUTION: A sterilization device includes a rod-like body 4 which may be introduced into an internal space of a container 10 through an opening part 11 of the container 10 and acts on an inner wall of the container 10 through radiation. Further, a device for sterilizing containers is provided with a lifting cam 54 which moves each container 10 in a longitudinal direction L of the container 10 and guides the container 10 so that the container 10 covers the rod-like body 4. Furthermore, the device for sterilizing the containers is provided with a moving device 64 which moves each rod-like body 4 relative to the lifting cam 54 in the longitudinal direction L of the container 10 so that a relative distance r between the rod-like bod 4 and the lifting cam 54 changes.

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for container sterilization.

  This type of apparatus and method has been known from the prior art for some time. In recent years, attempts have been made to avoid or at least reduce the use of chemical disinfectants. In recent years, sterilization devices are also known which act on the wall of the container to be sterilized by radiation, in particular charge carrier radiation. Although the invention will be described essentially with reference to an electron emitting device, it is pointed out that the application of the invention is optionally possible also in the case of other charge carriers, for example protons or alpha particles. I want to keep it. In addition, other types of radiation such as X-rays or UV radiation can be used.

  Devices and methods are known from the prior art in which a radiating finger is inserted into said container through the opening of the container to be sterilized. These radiating fingers usually have an exit window for charge carriers as in the case of specific electrons. In this case, it is advantageous for the exit window to be arranged on the bottom surface of the respective radiation finger. On the other hand, these radiating fingers must in this case have a cross section that can be inserted into the container through the opening. On the other hand, these radiating fingers usually also need to maintain a vacuum inside the radiating fingers, in which charge carriers can be accelerated. This makes radiating fingers of this kind often very sensitive and expensive equipment. Due to the low mechanical load carrying capacity, the cost when a one-time minor or much more severe damage occurs is also very high.

  Furthermore, sterilization devices that use radiation, in particular electron beams, for sterilization purposes usually have electron generation devices and also charge carriers (especially inside any of the above / in the vacuum) in the direction of the exit window. Has an accelerating device to accelerate.

  Similarly, an apparatus is known from the prior art in which a sterilization device is arranged on a movable carousel. In addition, the container, in particular the preform, is placed on the movable carousel via a clamp. For internal sterilization, each individual container is moved over a clamp through each of the sterilization devices or radiation fingers associated with the sterilization device. In this case, an electric motor that handles the drive profile individually during the processing cycle is available in each case (for example to the carousel) to bring about the movement of the respective clamps.

  The disadvantages of the prior art are that linear motors are very expensive and the control and programming costs (eg to generate drive profiles) are enormous, but when the container format changes occur There is no need to replace the mechanical parts.

  The object of the present invention is to overcome these drawbacks and thus provide a device that can each be used or modified in an inexpensive but flexible manner and at the same time can be used for the sterilization of a wide variety of different containers. Is to provide with the method.

  In this case, however, the opening of the container should remain substantially the same, or at least some minimum cross-section, since the rods or radiating fingers still need to be reliably guideable within the container. As a result of this, the device makes it possible to sterilize containers of different lengths and diameters in an inexpensive manner.

  The device for sterilization of a container according to the invention comprises a rod which can be introduced into the interior space through the opening of the container and acts on the inner wall of the container by radiation, in particular by charge carriers and in particular by electrons. Having a sterilization device. The rod-like body in this case is in particular a radiating finger. In addition, the apparatus has a lifting cam that provides movement of the container in the longitudinal direction L between the container and the sterilization device so that the container can be guided through the rod. Therefore, it is preferred that an apparatus for internal sterilization of the container is included.

  Thus, it is preferred that the lifting cam provides the movement of the container and, in a particularly preferred manner, only the lifting movement of the container in the longitudinal direction L, whereby the container is guided so as to cover the rod or radiating finger. / Moved or guided / movable. The introduction of the radiating fingers into the container is therefore carried out by movement of the container and preferably only by movement of the container, and this movement (lifting movement in the longitudinal direction L) is preferably carried out and / or by the lifting cam only. Or provided. It is particularly preferred that the lifting cam is a fixed lifting cam, the course of which cannot be changed in a particularly preferred manner. In this case, the clamps travel above these lifting cams, resulting in a fixed drive or movement profile.

  “Transport” or “transfer movement” means that in this case the rod is introduced / inserted at least locally in the container or in the interior space / inside of the container, this introduction / insertion preferably also by movement of the container It will preferably be understood that it is not brought about by the movement of the sterilization device and / or the rod. Furthermore, “transfer” or “transfer movement” is directed as a guide or movement of the container over the rod from below the bar (ie, the container opening is directed upwards away from the center of the earth, respectively). It can be preferably understood, but in this case it is also possible to move the rod from above the rod (ie the container openings are directed downwards towards the center of the earth, respectively) . However, other arrangements or orientations extending diagonally in this way may be possible. In this case, however, the corresponding element further extends in the longitudinal direction L, but substantially only this longitudinal direction L is changed or the direction of movement extends along this longitudinal direction L.

  According to the invention, the apparatus has a moving device or is provided with a moving device, which provides a relative movement in the longitudinal direction L of the container between the rod and the lifting cam. And is designed and constructed so that the relative distance r between the lifting cam and the rod can be changed.

  Thus, the drive or movement profile of the container should be implemented or caused by a lifting cam that is less flexible but is still substantially less expensive and sufficient for most purposes of use of the device. It is proposed that In addition, due to the relative volume of movement caused by the moving device, even containers or preforms of different lengths can be reliably sterilized in a simple manner by the apparatus without having to perform major modifications / changes. It is even possible.

  With respect to the lifting cams, a fixed drive profile is preset, which results in the problem that in particular relatively short containers cannot be handled because they (especially their bases) will hit the radiating fingers. This problem is solved by changing the relative distance r between the lifting cam and the rod / radiating finger.

  The container is preferably a container of plastic material, such as a plastic bottle or a plastic material preform. It is particularly preferred that the container is a plastic material preform.

  In a preferred embodiment, the movement device is designed and configured such that a predetermined distance a between the base region of the container and the rod or sterilization device can be set. In this way, it is possible to provide a relative movement in the longitudinal direction L of the container between the rod or sterilization device and the lifting cam and between the lifting cam and the rod or sterilization device. The movement device is preferably designed and configured such that the relative distance r can be varied so that a predetermined distance a between the base region of the container and the rod can be set.

  It is preferred that the distance between the base region of the container and the rod can be set outside the work movement.

  Thus, using the relative movement in the longitudinal direction L between the rod or sterilization device and the lifting cam, even between containers of different lengths, between the base region of the container and the rod Preferably, a predetermined distance a can be set.

  In this case, the distance a is preferably between the center point of the base region, positioned substantially in the region of the injection site, and the rod (especially any of the rods / the exit window), Preferably it is detected, determined, measured, established and / or preset. This point, which is the position at which the distance a in the longitudinal direction L from the base area of the container and the exit window is established or set, is therefore the axis of symmetry S of the container (which is the longitudinal direction L of the container). Is preferably present at the point where it intersects the base region. In this case, essentially the innermost point of the base is used. However, in general, it would also be possible to use another point of the base region for fixing the distance a or for which the distance a has been or has been described.

  As a result of using the lifting cam, the container, in particular the opening of the container, is always moved in the longitudinal direction L and over the radiation finger in a predetermined stroke / path. When manufacturing is switched and other shorter containers (less longer in the longitudinal direction L of the container) are used, with a predetermined stroke / path, the base area of the container is the radiating finger or its end You will move closer to the part or even touch the end, which will result in considerable damage and cost. The relative distance r between the radiating finger or the end of the radiating finger and the lifting cam can be additionally adjusted here by a moving device so that the relative distance r is increased when shorter containers are used. As a result, a predetermined distance a between the radiating finger or its end and the base region can be set as a result, or the distance a can be set.

  The predetermined distance a is preferably present when the container travels above the highest point of the lifting cam or is present on the lifting cam. The highest point can also be a relatively long region (and hence the highest region). The highest point in this case is essentially understood as the point / region where the lifting cam or lifting cam region / portion is at a minimum distance from the radiating finger and / or sterilization device. Thus, the highest point exists at the reversal point where the container transitions from the guide above the rod / radiating finger to the reversal movement where the container is pulled away from the radiating finger. It is preferred that the radiating finger and the container never touch each other, and therefore “pulling” should be understood as removing the radiating finger from the container. This inversion point can exist over a specific area, or the lifting cam can extend substantially horizontally within this area. As an example, the container is guided over the radiating finger for sterilization purposes until a predetermined distance is reached, then this distance is held for sterilization purposes for a certain amount of time, and then the container is again removed from the radiating finger. Torn apart. This is performed by a raised portion that exists over a specific area on the lifting cam (or extends over a specific length depending on the speed at which the container is transported).

  In a further preferred embodiment, the sterilization device and / or the rod is movable in the longitudinal direction L of the container by the movement device, and the lifting cam is configured not to be movable. Thus, it can be seen that the relative movement provided in the longitudinal direction L between the bar and the lifting cam is preferably provided by movement of the sterilization device and / or bar. The movement device can thus be provided by the movement of the container in the longitudinal direction L between the rod and the lifting cam by the movement of the sterilization device and / or the rod and in this way. It is preferably designed and configured so that the relative distance r between the lifting cam and the rod can be changed.

  In the case of the preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises a radiating finger arranged on a common carrier that is rotatable about an axis of rotation E so that the individual radiating fingers / sterilization devices move along a circular (carrying) path. Or it has several sterilization devices which have a rod-shaped body. Thus, the device is preferably a carousel device or the common carrier is designed in the form of a carousel. In addition, the common carrier is preferably movable in the longitudinal direction L by a moving device. In this way, all / multiple sterilization devices are essentially moved relative to the lifting cam by a single movement device, so that it is possible to dispense with the movement device for each individual sterilization device. is there. Thus, according to the proposed apparatus (or according to the proposed method), this allows the radiation finger / sterilization device to be moved by movement of the entire carousel or common carrier, so that it is placed on the carousel. There is no need to use multiple motors for the various radiating finger / sterilization devices used.

  Thus, it is preferred that the relative movement provided in the longitudinal direction L between the rod or radiating finger and the lifting cam can be effected by movement of the carriers of the plurality of radiating fingers / sterilization devices. The movement device can therefore be provided that the (relative) movement of the container in the longitudinal direction L between the rod and the lifting cam is brought about by the movement of the carrier of a plurality of radiating fingers / rods / sterilization devices, And it is preferably designed and configured so that the relative distance r between the lifting cam and the rod-like body can be changed.

  In this way, the plurality of radiating fingers / sterilization devices are preferably mechanically connected to each other by a common carrier, and the radiating fingers / sterilization devices are therefore equally movable, in particular rotating around the rotation axis E It can be moved in the longitudinal direction L.

  Thus, the common carousel / apparatus base plate (or common carrier) to which the sterilization device is secured is preferably capable of changing its own height. Thus, for example, it is possible to process containers / preforms that are 20 mm shorter and the base plate is raised 20 mm (in this way the relative distance r is increased). As a result, the end position (inversion point) of the radiating finger is set again to be equal to the base of the container / preform, so the predetermined distance a remains the same.

  Since the residence time of the radiating finger in the container will be shorter with shorter preforms, this may result in insufficient sterilization in some cases, causing the container / preform to lift cam It is preferably proposed to reduce the speed when moving along the side of the plate, and thus the time that the radiating fingers are at the end points in the container / preform should be extended. A further possibility to improve sterilization would be realized, preferably in the same way, while the container / preform moves along the side of the lifting cam with the increase in applied dose rate.

  In a further preferred embodiment, the predetermined distance is not changeable during operation of the device. In response, the same type of container is always sterilized during operation, so that no changes are required. However, if the conversion of other container / (plastic material) preforms, especially for different length containers / (plastic material) preforms, is made, the relative between the lifting cam and the radiating finger The distance r is changed so that the predetermined distance a between the base region of the container to be freshly processed and the radiating finger can be adjusted again. The predetermined distance a is preferably the same for each container or each (plastic material) preform.

  In a further preferred embodiment, the rod or radiating finger has an exit window for the charge carrier produced by the sterilization device, the charge carrier exiting from the rod by this exit window and thus the container The inner wall is acted upon by charge carriers. This exit window is positioned on the bottom surface of the radiating finger and thus on the side closest to the lifting cam, as is generally known from the prior art. In addition, a predetermined distance a between the base area of the container and the outlet window of the rod can be set. Most have been described above for the distance between the radiating finger / bar and the further elements of the device (eg lifting cam, base region). This distance is therefore preferably understood as the distance between the exit window of the radiating finger / bar and each further element. This distance is preferably provided or present in the (essentially) longitudinal direction.

  In a further preferred embodiment, the containers are fixed to the common element via respective holding devices, in particular holding clamps, which hold the containers below or above the transport ring. The common element is rotatable about a rotation axis E, and each holding device is preferably movable in the longitudinal direction (L). In this way, the holding device is movable in the longitudinal direction L relative to the common element and is arranged on / fixed to the common element in a corresponding manner. It is therefore preferred that the common element is a carousel element, a rotatable common carrier or a rotatable conveying device that carries / moves the container during sterilization.

  The common element preferably has a plurality of holding devices, particularly preferably the number of holding devices corresponds to the number of sterilizing devices, so that for each holding device one sterilizing device is a common carrier There exists / arranges a container that is present / placed on and correspondingly associated with the common element. When the holding device or driven element (such as a cam roller) passes or reaches the highest point / highest region of the lifting cam, the predetermined distance a is reached or the predetermined distance a is Preferably it is present.

  It is preferred that the sterilization device and the holding device (or common carrier and common element) are rotated about an axis of rotation E that is the same in both devices. Similarly, the device is rotated or moved about the rotation axis E at the same (rotation) speed.

  It is particularly preferred that the common carrier and the common element are arranged on an axle that can cause rotation. However, it may also be preferred that there is a respective drive or drive element for the common element or common carrier.

  In a further preferred embodiment, the movement device has a mechanical displacement element, a hydraulic or pneumatic drive or an electric motor, in particular a linear motor, so that a common disposition device is arranged by this apparatus element. It is possible to cause movement of the carrier in the longitudinal direction L.

  In this way, the apparatus allows / achieves independent movement of the radiating finger / sterilization device and the container or container holding device / clamp or lifting cam. In this case, the movement of the container or holding device is used or sufficient because of the lifting cam, and this movement is required for adjustment to the container or preform, It is preferred that the radiating finger be moved only in the longitudinal direction L while drive / sterilization does not occur.

  In the case of a further preferred device, there is a detection device or measuring device (for example a laser device) that can detect and process the length of each container to be sterilized. In addition, there is preferably a computer unit that is designed and configured so that it can be referred back to (at present) the relative distance r, or that the relative distance r can be processed and / or used. Based on the relative distance r and length detected by the detection device or measuring device, the computer unit compares and / or calculates how far the container base approaches the exit window, It is particularly preferred to initiate an emergency stop of the device when it becomes clear that there is a possibility of impingement or contact with the exit window (or when the computer unit is designed and configured in the specified manner). Instead of or in addition to the emergency stop, the raising of the carrier relative to the lifting cam can also be started with a sterilization device.

  In a further advantageous embodiment, the device has a clean room or forms a clean room in which a container of plastic material is conveyed during its sterilization. In this case, the clean room is preferably sealed from the environment by at least one wall. It is preferred that the clean room be set under overpressure or the clean room can be set under overpressure for the (non-sterile) environment.

  It is also advantageous that said common carrier of a plurality of sterilization devices forms this clean room wall. In this case, it is preferred that only the radiating fingers or rods can be extended into the clean room or can be arranged in the clean room, and further units of the sterilization device are preferably arranged outside the clean room. In a further advantageous embodiment, the apparatus comprises a sealing device for sealing this clean room from the environment. This sealing device is, for example, a so-called surge chamber that can be filled with a liquid medium and preferably has a peripheral duct in which the wall element is immersed and is movable relative to the wall element. Can do.

  In a further embodiment, the clean room sealing is performed by a peripheral suction duct. In this case, air is sucked out both from the interior space or clean room and from the surrounding space.

  The arrangement of lifting cams outside the clean room is also advantageous in clean room design. The driven elements, including rollers, are in this case arranged outside the clean room, and the holding device is sealed from the environment by a sealing element such as an elastomeric bellows, a metal bellows or a similar sealing element suitable for a clean room. The

  In a further advantageous embodiment, the device also has a screen element for preventing radiation, in particular X-ray radiation, from leaking out of the plant. These can also preferably be clean room elements / walls or clean room boundaries.

  In the case of a preferred embodiment, the sterilization device also has a cooling device for cooling the exit window. In this case, it is possible for the rod / radiating finger to have a duct through which a medium, in particular a gaseous medium, can be transported in the direction of the exit window. In order to cool the exit window, this gas stream or gaseous medium is advantageously removed from the clean room at least partly and preferably completely. Advantageously, the exit window is a titanium exit window having a thickness of 7 to 13 μm in a particularly preferred embodiment. In the case of a further advantageous embodiment, the apparatus comprises a deflection device that transports a gaseous medium, in particular to the said area of the outlet device. It is preferred if the gas stream / gaseous medium is an air stream such as a sterile air stream. However, it may be possible to provide other gaseous atmospheres in the clean room, for example a nitrogen atmosphere.

  It is preferred that the air removed from the clean room (or the gaseous medium generally removed) is conditioned, in particular cooled, before being supplied to the individual outlet windows. In this case, a heat exchanger known per se from the prior art can be used to cool this air.

  In particular, the cooling device comprises a first load device that cools the first region of the exit window with a liquid medium, and a second load device that cools the second region of the exit window with a gaseous medium. preferable. Cooling with a liquid or gaseous medium means that the exit window does not necessarily have to be acted upon by this medium itself, for example a cooling duct through which the respective cooling medium flows can also be provided Should be understood as However, it is also possible to load the exit window or the area of the exit window directly, especially for gaseous media. In principle, it would also be possible that in each case the cooling of the different areas is carried out with a gaseous medium, i.e. the two areas are cooled with a gaseous medium in each case.

  In the case of a further advantageous embodiment, the collision of the rod with the container, in particular the opening of the container, is prevented, in particular when an incorrect positioning of the container and / or the holding device for holding the container occurs. An anti-collision device having a contact is provided. Thus, in the case of this embodiment, in particular, the collision of the rod with the container itself and / or the holding device of the container should be prevented.

  In practice, it can happen that the holding or gripping element holding the container does not hold the container properly and that the container is placed at an angle, for example in the holding element. In this situation, the rod-shaped body may collide with the container due to the movement of the container to the rod-shaped body. This collision alone may be sufficient to permanently damage the rod.

  This type of collision can be prevented by the contact body. In this way, the device can stop the delivery movement when this type of mechanical contact occurs between the container and the contact body. However, it would also be possible for the holding element to release the container in response to this type of contact so that the container can no longer contact the rod.

  Therefore, it is preferable that this contact body is arranged so that the contact body contacts the container before the rod-shaped body contacts the container. The contact body preferably has a tubular body that at least partially surrounds the rod-shaped body. On the other hand, this tubular body protects the rods from the radial knocks of the rods, and on the other hand, this tubular body touches them in particular before they touch the container of plastic material on which the rods are positioned obliquely. It is possible.

  In a further advantageous embodiment, the delivery movement of the plastic material container is stopped upon the occurrence of contact between the contact body and the plastic material material container and / or the holding device for the plastic material material container. A switching device having an effect is provided. Advantageously, a release device is provided that releases a container placed incorrectly on the holding device.

  In the present invention, the container is transported so as to cover the rod-shaped body in order to sterilize the container, the inner wall of the container is acted on by radiation in the container, and the longitudinal direction L of the container with respect to the rod-shaped body by the lifting cam It further relates to a method for sterilization of a container in which the container is moved and a rod is introduced into the container through the opening of the container. Guiding the container over the rod is to be understood as a rod being at least partially immersed or introduced into the container or the interior space of the container.

  According to the method according to the invention, the lifting cam and the bar are moved relative to each other in the longitudinal direction L of the container, and the relative distance r between the lifting cam and the bar is changed.

  According to a preferred method, the relative distance r between the lifting cam and the rod is changed so that a predetermined distance a between the base region of the container and the rod is set.

  While the container is sterilized, it is preferred that the container be transported along a preset transport path. In addition, it is preferable to provide a moving device for moving the lifting cam and the bar relative to each other. In this case, it is particularly preferable that the moving device moves only the rod-shaped body or the sterilizing device.

  In the case of a further preferred method, a plurality of sterilization devices, together with rods or rod-shaped radiating fingers, are arranged on a common carrier which is moved in the longitudinal direction L with respect to the lifting cam by the moving device. The movement of the container arranged on the common element via a plurality of respective holding devices or holding clamps is preferably carried out by the design of the lifting cam.

  In addition, the sterilization device is activated so that the sterilization device is activated only when the container is at a certain distance below the rod or radiating finger, or only immediately after the radiating finger is at least partially positioned in the container. Sterilization is preferably performed in the region where the lifting cam is raised so that the sterilization device can be activated or deactivated in a manner that depends on the position of the device and the position of the container.

  Further advantages and embodiments will be apparent from the accompanying drawings.

1 is a schematic view of an apparatus for sterilization of a container according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a further schematic view of an apparatus for sterilization of containers according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a radiating finger or rod, with the container guided around it.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an apparatus 1 for sterilization of a container 10 according to the present invention. However, as mentioned above, in this case the container 10 can also be (preferably) a plastic material preform 10. The container 10 in this case extends in the longitudinal direction L and has an opening 11 through which the rod 4 or radiating finger 4 can be guided and guided into the container. A plurality of containers 10 are in this case arranged on the common element 21. The common element 21 is in this case designed in the form of an annular carrier 21, but any design could be possible.

  The container 10 is gripped or held by a clamp 23 below the transport ring 19 of the container 10, which is an element part of the holding device 22 and is therefore arranged on the holding device 22 and then on the common element 21 ( In particular, it is configured and fixed in a movable manner (in the longitudinal direction L of the holding device 22). A driven element 13 such as a cam roller is provided at the lower end of the holding device 22.

  This follower element 13 runs on or follows the lifting cam 54, which is preferably preset. This lifting cam 54 is designed and constructed in such a way that it can or can cause a vertical reciprocation of the driven element 13 and thus of the container 10. In this case, it can be seen from FIG. 1 that this is due to the different design of the lifting cam 54 in the vertical direction. The driven element, however, does not necessarily have to travel on the lifting cam 54 (along the lifting cam 54), and other possibilities of the lifting cam 54 are possible, for example a groove in which the driven element 13 moves / runs. Will. In addition, a spring element (not shown) can be optionally provided that prestresses the driven element 13 on or on the lifting cam.

  The movement of the container 10 is performed in a circular manner around the rotation axis E in FIG. However, other movements such as, for example, in the form of an oval or in contrast to a common element 21 designed in a different manner, for example in the form of a conveying device that offers the possibility of linear movement or free movement. The possibility of Accordingly, the lifting cam 54 and further elements (e.g. the common carrier 3) will also need to be differently designed.

  In addition, the apparatus 1 in this case has a common carrier 3 on which a plurality of sterilization devices 2 with corresponding radiating fingers or rods 4 are fixed / arranged. The common carrier 3 is in this case also rotatable about the axis of rotation E, so that the axes of rotation of the common carrier 3 and the common element 21 are substantially congruent or parallel to each other and overlap. As a common rotation axis E. A further element of the sterilization device 2, which can be in particular a charge carrier generator / electron generator and a charge carrier accelerator / electron accelerator, is roughly designated by reference numeral 7.

  In addition, the central axis or symmetry axis K of the radiating finger (see FIG. 3) is separated from the rotation axis E by the same distance as the central axis or symmetry axis S of the container 10. The container 10 and the radiating finger 4 are in this case substantially rotationally symmetric. Similarly, these two axes S, K extend parallel to each other, which likewise results in parallel with the longitudinal direction L of the container. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the same number of sterilization devices 2 are present or arranged on the common carrier 3 and likewise also the same number of holding devices 22 with corresponding containers 10 are present on the elements 21 or Be placed. Therefore, from this, the sterilization device 2 is thus present for each container 10. The axes S and K are not only parallel in this case, but also overlap or congruent with each other so that the most reliable movement / guide of the container 10 can be performed by the radiating fingers 4.

  In addition, this longitudinal direction L is in this case also the direction in which the charge carriers / electrons are accelerated and / or the direction in which the charge carriers / electrons preferably move inside the radiating finger 4.

  In this embodiment, the entire “plate” or the common carrier 3 can be moved or displaced in the longitudinal direction L, or in particular a movement device that can provide a relative movement in the longitudinal direction L between the radiating finger 4 and the lifting cam 54. Is designated quite schematically by reference numeral 64. Thus, the height of the common carrier 3 or the relative distance r between the common carrier 3, the sterilization device 2 and the radiating finger 4 (in this case schematically designated by a double arrow) is determined by the moving device 64. It can be changed or adjusted. The distance must in this case always be observed at one and the same point on the lifting cam 54, because the extension of the lifting cam 54 in the longitudinal direction L changes. According to this embodiment, therefore, not only the extension of the lifting cam in the longitudinal direction L is fixed, but also the arrangement of the lifting cam 54 is also fixed, so that the lifting cam 54 does not move in the longitudinal direction L. Preferably it is possible.

  The arrangement of the movement device 64 is selected in a non-limiting manner in FIG. 1 and is also quite schematic, for example a shaft (not shown) can be present around the axis of rotation E, on which The common carrier 3 and / or the common element 21 is fixed, and likewise a movement device is arranged or at least supported on this shaft, so that the displacement / movement of the common carrier 3 in the longitudinal direction L is on this shaft. In the mobile device.

  The movement device 64 can however also be supported on a further annular element 31 arranged in a fixed manner on the apparatus 1. In FIG. 1, the radiating finger 4 extends through this annular element 31 in a movable manner.

  The region on the left side of the lifting cam 54 in FIG. 1 in this case constitutes the highest point that the container can reach. Thus, the distance between the container base 9 and the radiation finger, in particular between the exit window 14 of the radiation finger, is minimal in this region. This is the reversal point where the movement of the container 10 in the longitudinal direction L (and toward the container 10) is changed to the movement of the container 10 descending from the radiating finger, particularly with the container 10 covering the radiating finger 4. Occurs in In this case, the lifting cam 54 has a constant elevation over a relatively long part to ensure that this change in movement is not necessary or cannot occur directly continuously. Of course, care should be taken to ensure that the container 10 can be held at this inversion point for a period of time, as is particularly seen in the left region of FIG. I have to pay. This inversion point constitutes the minimum distance that occurs between the exit window 14 and the container base 9 (or is assumed to constitute the minimum distance during normal operation), and the reversal point between the container base 9 and the exit window 14 or the radiating finger 4. Exists at a predetermined distance a between.

  FIG. 2 shows a device 1 that is essentially the same as that of FIG. In this case, however, a container 10 is provided which has a shorter extension in the longitudinal direction L and is therefore shorter. When these containers 10 are now fed to the device 1, the base region 9 of the container 10 is considered to collide with the radiating fingers 4 introduced in each case, as shown in FIG. Can lead to malfunction or destruction of this radiating finger 4 and / or the corresponding sterilization device 2. In FIG. 2, the common carrier 3 is therefore arranged at a greater distance from the lifting cam 54 by the moving device 64. The relative distance r between the lifting cam 54 and the common carrier 3 or radiating finger 4 is thus increased. As a result, can it be ensured that the predetermined distance a is substantially the same or equal as a result, even in the case of a shorter container 10 (as opposed to FIG. 1)? Or as a result, damage to the sterilization device can be prevented, and nevertheless sufficient sterilization of the interior space / inner wall of the container can be achieved.

  The change of the relative distance r can also be derived from a schematic mobile device 64, which, in contrast to FIG. 1, is the location where the arrangement of the common carrier 3 is likewise changed.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a container or preform 10 that is guided over the radiating finger 4. In this case, the symmetry axes S and K which are identical / extend in the same manner and extend parallel to the longitudinal direction L can also be seen in particular. At the lower end of the radiating finger, reference numeral 14 in this case designates an exit window 14 through which the charge carriers / electrons escape from the radiating finger 4 so that the inner wall of the preform 10 can be sterilized.

  In addition, it is readily apparent that the distance a extends between the exit window 14 and the lower end or center point of the container base 9. This center point is essentially at a position where the axis of symmetry S of the container intersects the inner wall of the base region 9. The transport ring of the preform 10 where the clamp 23 of the holding device 22 grips or holds the preform 10 below or above is designated by reference numeral 19. Similarly, the opening 11 of the container 10 is visible.

  Applicants claim all features disclosed in this application document as essential to the present invention as long as they have novelty, either individually or in combination, compared to the prior art I have the right.

  All the features disclosed in this application document are claimed as essential to the invention as long as they have novelty, either individually or in combination, compared to the prior art.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Apparatus 2 Sterilization device 3 Common carrier 4 Rod / radiating finger 7 Schematic, further elements of sterilization device 9 Container base, base region 10 Container or preform (of plastic material) 11 Opening 13 Follower element 14 Exit window 19 Transport ring 21 Common element / annular carrier 22 Holding device 23 Clamp 31 Annular element 54 Lifting cam 64 Moving device a Distance between base region and radiating finger / exit window E Rotating axis L Longitudinal r Lifting cam and radiating finger / Relative distance from the exit window S Axis of symmetry of the container K Symmetric axis of the rod / radiating finger

Claims (10)

A sterilization device having a rod that can be introduced into the interior space of the container through the opening of the container and acts on the inner wall of the container by radiation;
An apparatus for sterilization of the container having a lifting cam capable of moving the container in a longitudinal direction of the container and guiding the container so that the container covers the rod-shaped body,
An apparatus comprising a moving device for effecting relative movement of the container in the longitudinal direction between the bar and the lifting cam such that the relative distance between the lifting cam and the bar is changed.   The moving device is capable of moving the rod in the longitudinal direction relative to the lifting cam so that a predetermined distance between the base region of the container and the rod can be set. The apparatus of claim 1.   The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sterilizing device and / or the rod-like body is movable in the longitudinal direction of the container by the moving device. Having a common carrier that can rotate around the rotation axis,
A plurality of the sterilization devices are arranged on the common carrier,
The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the common carrier is movable in the longitudinal direction of the container by the moving device.   5. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the predetermined distance cannot be changed during operation of the device. The rod has an exit window for a charge carrier produced by the sterilization device;
The charge carrier escapes from the rod by the exit window,
The inner wall of the container is acted upon by the charge carrier;
Furthermore, the apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the predetermined distance between the base region of the container and the outlet window of the bar is configurable. It has a common element that can rotate around the rotation axis,
The containers are fixed to respective holding devices;
7. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each holding device is movable in the longitudinal direction relative to the common element.   A driven element that runs on or follows the lifting cam is disposed on each holding device, resulting in the relative movement of the container in the longitudinal direction. The device described in 1.   9. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the moving device comprises a mechanical displacement element, a hydraulic or pneumatic drive, or an electric motor, in particular a linear motor. In order to sterilize the container, the container is transported so as to cover the rod-shaped body, the inner wall of the container is acted on by radiation within the container, and the longitudinal direction of the container with respect to the rod-shaped body by the lifting cam The container is moved to introduce the rod-like body into the container through the opening of the container,
A method comprising the step of changing the relative distance between the lifting cam and the rod by moving the lifting cam and the rod relative to each other in the longitudinal direction of the container.

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